Apple tree named &#39;B3F44&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  apple tree variety named ‘B3F44’, particularly characterized by very firm flesh, extreme long storability, long shelf life, striking conic shape of fruit and strong aroma after storage.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(f) of the EuropeanCommunity Plant Variety Rights No. 2009/2503 filed Nov. 26, 2009.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Malus domestica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘B3F44’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Appletree, botanically known as Malus domestica of the Rosaceae family, andhereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘B3F44’.

The new Malus variety is a product of a controlled breeding programconducted by the inventors, Inge De Wit, Hendrik Eyssen, JohanKeulemans, Johan Nicolaï, Els Pauwels and Paul Van Laer, in Rillaar,Belgium. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a newMalus variety with crisp and juicy flesh, as well as good storagecapacity and shelf life.

The new Malus variety originated from a cross made by the inventors in1993 in Belgium. The female or seed parent is the Malus domesticavariety designated Braeburn (unpatented). The male or pollen parent isthe Malus domestica variety designated Gala (unpatented). The new Malusvariety was discovered and selected by the inventors within the progenyof the stated cross in a controlled environment in Belgium.

Asexual reproduction of the new Malus variety by grafting was firstperformed in Belgium, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are firmly fixedand retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. Thenew variety reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘B3F44’ which in combination distinguishthis Apple tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. very firm flesh;    -   2. extreme long storability;    -   3. long shelf life;    -   4. striking conic shape of fruit; and    -   5. strong aroma after storage.

In comparison to the parental varieties, ‘BRAEBURN’ (unpatented) and‘GALA’ (unpatented), ‘B3F44’ differs primarily in the traits listed inTable 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Variety ‘BRAEBURN’ ‘GALA’ Trait‘B3F44’ (unpatented) (unpatented) fruit shape conic oblong-globoseglobose-conic tree habit drooping spreading spreading fruit over colorred brown-red bright red harvest time late late early storabilityextreme long long medium

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventor(s), themost similar in comparison to the new Malus variety ‘B3F44’ is the Malusvariety Braeburn (unpatented), in the following characteristicsdescribed in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Variety New Variety ‘BRAEBURN’ Characteristic ‘B3F44’(unpatented) fruit shape conic oblong-globose tree habit droopingspreading fruit over color red brown-red

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Malus variety ‘B3F44’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘B3F44’.

FIG. 1—shows a close-up view (side, top and bottom) of mature fruit of‘B3F44’.

FIG. 2—shows dissection views of mature fruit of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 3—shows a fruit-bearing tree of ‘B3F44’, at 7 years of age.

FIG. 4—shows a dormant tree of ‘B3F44’, at 9 years of age

FIG. 5—shows a blooming tree of ‘B3F44’, at 11 years of age.

FIG. 6—shows inflorescence of ‘133F44’.

FIG. 7—shows top and bottom view of leaves of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 8—shows different stages of development of the flowers and thebottom, side and top view of a fully expanded flower of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 9—shows different parts of a flower of ‘133F44’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Malus variety ‘B3F44’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength without any change in the genotype of the apple tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘133F44’ asgrown in the orchard of Better3fruit NV in Rillaar, Belgium, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includesobservations, measurements and values based on 11 year old ‘B3F44’ treesgrown in the orchard of Better3fruit NV in Rillaar, Belgium from 2009 to2010. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of trees of ‘B3F44’. The measurementsof any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety mayvary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), (4th edition, 2001), except where general colors ofordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylightconditions at approximately 3:00 pm in Rillaar, Belgium.

All of the trees of ‘B3F44’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Malus domestica.-   Parentage:-   Female or seed parent: Malus variety designated ‘BRAEBURN’    (unpatented).-   Male or pollen parent: Malus variety designated ‘GALA’ (unpatented).-   Propagation: grafting to rootstocks.-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.        -   Temperature.—During day, grown in range of 2° C. to 23° C.,            and during evening, grow in range of −5° C. to 13° C. (based            on average month temperature).-   Tree:-   Age: Observed trees were 11 years old.-   Vigor: medium vigor.-   Form: ramified — drooping.-   Habit: A normal-sized tree with one trunk and about 12.0 +/−3.5    leaders; main branches drooping; crown symmetrical.-   Branching habit: Main branches angle is 77.8 +/−16.0 ° with respect    to trunk if allowed to grow naturally.-   Density: about 2200 trees per hectare.-   Cropping behavior: average beginning production; normal productivity    and regular flowering; no biennial bearing.-   Type of bearing: long shoots and spurs.-   Production: About 14 kg/tree in 2010.-   Size at maturity:    -   -   Height.—277 +/−10 cm.        -   Spread.—172 +/−12 cm.-   Trunk:    -   -   Height (up to leaders).—75 +/−2 cm.        -   Diameter.—5.7 +/−0.4 cm.        -   Texture.—slightly rough.        -   Bark color.—Primarily RHS greyed-green 197B, with underbark            RHS greyed-orange 165B.        -   Trunk lenticels.—Length: 2.12 +/−0.85 mm (in the direction            of the trunk) Width: 7.51 +/−3.88 mm (diagonal to the trunk            direction) Color: RHS greyed-yellow 162B Density: 1.6 +/−0.5            per cm2.-   Branches:    -   -   Number per tree.—37.8 +/−8.5.        -   Length.—Varies due to shape of tree; maximum of 97.0 +/−20.4            cm; minimum of 2.8+/−0.6 cm.        -   Diameter (at 2 years).—About 12.95 +/−3.97 mm.        -   Surface texture.—slightly rough.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Color.—Mature (after about 3 years old): RHS greyed-orange            166A New Growth: RHS greyed-orange 175A.        -   Internode length.—31.12 +/−10.15 mm.        -   Internode diameter.—7.17 +/−2.08 mm.        -   Branch lenticels.—Length: 1.10 +/−0.39 mm (in the direction            of the branch) Width: 3.06 +/−1.25 mm (diagonal to the            branch direction) Color: RHS white 155B Density: 2.4 +/−0.8            per cm2.-   Spur:    -   -   Present.—Yes, but few.        -   Distance between each spur.—On the 2 and 3 year old            branches, the distance is 42.3 +/−22.9 mm.        -   Diameter of each spur.—6.69 +/−1.21 mm.        -   Number of fruit per spur.—1.3 +/−0.4.-   Foliage:-   Arrangement: Alternate, simple, petiolated.-   Lamina:    -   -   Size.—Length: 83.15 +/−10.40 mm (fully expanded leaf) Width:            47.19 +/−7.82 mm (fully expanded leaf) Length/width ratio:            between 1.32 and 2.38.        -   Overall shape.—ovate, petiolated.        -   Base shape.—rounded (obtuse).        -   Apex shape.—acute.        -   Margin.—bicrenate.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: smooth, glabrous Under surface:            medium pubescence.        -   Attitude in relation to shoot.—outwards.        -   Color (mature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS green 137A Under            surface: RHS green 138B.        -   Color (immature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS yellow-green            144A Under surface: RHS yellow-green 146D.-   Venation:    -   -   Type.—pinnate venation from central vein to the leaf edge.        -   Color.—RHS yellow-green 144B.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—30.17 +/−3.76 mm.        -   Diameter.—1.61 +/−0.19 mm.        -   Texture.—high pubescence.        -   Color.—RHS green 143A (upper), RHS green 143C (lower), RHS            red-purple 60C.-   Stipule:    -   -   Arrangement.—free standing.        -   Length (distance of stipules from basal attachment of            petiole).—8.02 +/−3.23 mm.        -   Width.—2.12 +/−1.18 mm.-   Inflorescence:-   Blooming time: medium (similar to Gala and Braeburn).-   Blooming period: About 1 week.-   Fragrance: strong.-   Type: corymb.-   Number of flowers per inflorescence: 5.0 +/−1.1.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Diameter.—72.25 +/−9.07 mm.        -   Depth.—44.90 +/−4.54 mm.-   Buds:    -   -   Terminal buds.—Number per spur: about 1 Shape: pointy,            triangular Length: 10.30 +/−0.82 mm Width: 4.91 +/−0.51 mm            Texture: high pubescence Color: Apex RHS greyed-orange 166A,            and base RHS greyed-red 178C Scales: Number: 7.0 +/−1.5            Overall shape: triangular, double folded around bud Apex            shape: three points (middle point is the longest) Base            shape: straight, fully grown together with base Color:            Upper: RHS greyed-orange 166A Lower: RHS yellow-green N144D.        -   Lateral buds.—Number per spur: about 0 Shape: pointy,            triangular Length: 5.72 +/−1.31 mm Width: 3.29 +/−0.43 mm            Texture: smooth, medium pubescence Color: Apex RHS            greyed-orange 166A, and base RHS yellow-green N144B Scales:            Number: 5.4 +/−0.9 Overall shape: triangular, double folded            around bud Apex shape: three points (middle point is the            longest) Base shape: straight, fully grown together with            base Color: Upper: RHS greyed-orange 166A Lower: RHS            yellow-green N144B.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—free (full bloom).        -   Number per flower.—Five.        -   Size.—Length: 17.70 +/−1.44 mm Width: 10.42 +/−1.37 mm            Length/width ratio: from 1.38 to 2.11.        -   Overall shape.—obovate.        -   Apex shape.—rounded.        -   Base shape.—acute.        -   Texture (upper surface).—smooth.        -   Texture (lower surface).—smooth.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Color (upper surface).—from RHS red-purple 65D to RHS            red-purple 69D.        -   Color (lower surface).—from RHS red-purple 69D to RHS            red-purple N57D.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number per flower.—Five.        -   Size.—Length: 6.74 +/−1.37 mm Width: 3.27 +/−0.48 mm            Length/width ratio: from 1.43 to 2.90.        -   Overall shape.—triangular.        -   Apex shape.—acute.        -   Base shape.—truncate.        -   Texture (upper surface).—smooth, hairy.        -   Texture (lower surface).—smooth, very hairy.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Color (upper surface).—Apex RHS greyed-orange 166A, and base            RHS yellow-green 144B.        -   Color (lower surface).—Apex RHS greyed-orange 166A and base            RHS yellow-green 144B.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—24.21 +/−4.77 mm.        -   Diameter.—1.13 +/−0.14 mm.        -   Texture.—smooth, slightly hairy (white hairs).        -   Color.—RHS green 143B.-   Fruit:-   Keeping quality: It can be stored in cold temperature conditions for    minimum 10 months without loosing firmness and juiciness. It has a    shelf life of minimum 4 weeks without loosing firmness and    juiciness.-   Maturity when described: Ripe for eating.-   Maturity period after full bloom: About 23 weeks after full bloom.    Date of first and last picking (harvest): About first and second    week of October.-   Type: Pome.-   General shape: conic.-   Average weight: 189.8 +/−33.5 g.-   Fruit size:    -   -   Average height.—75.1 +/−6.3 mm.        -   Average diameter (at widest point).—73.1 +/−4.7 mm.        -   Position of maximum diameter.—⅓ of height, near stem end.        -   Height/thickness ratio.—from 0.88 to 1.19.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—18.66 +/−5.14 mm.        -   Diameter.—2.85 +/−0.61 mm.        -   Color.—from RHS yellow-green 145C to RHS grey-brown N199B.-   Stalk cavity:    -   -   Depth.—17.21 +/−1.93 mm.        -   Width.—35.12 +/−2.84 mm.-   Eye basin:    -   -   Depth.—6.33 +/−2.38 mm.        -   Width.—26.73 +/−2.70 mm.        -   Crowning at calyx end.—moderate.        -   Position of sepals.—half-closed.        -   Calyx tube.—closed.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—thin.        -   Texture.—slightly tough.        -   Bloom.—absent.        -   Greasiness.—absent.        -   Firmness (at picking time).—7.5 +/−0.9 kg/cm2 (measured            without removing the skin).        -   Overcolor color.—RHS red 45C.        -   Percentage of skin surface with overcolor color.—About 50 to            75%.        -   Pattern of overcolor.—solid flush with weakly to strongly            defined stripes.        -   Intensity of overcolor.—medium.        -   Ground color.—RHS yellow-green 145C.        -   Skin lenticels.—Length: 1.59 +/−0.57 mm Width: 1.06 +/−0.17            mm Color: RHS greyed-orange 163C Density: 4.3 +/−1.3 per            cm2.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—RHS yellow-green 150D.        -   Texture.—very firm, crisp and juicy.        -   Aroma.—strong.        -   Eating quality.—excellent.        -   Sugar content (at picking time).—13.9 +/−0.5% Brix.        -   Acidity/starch (at picking time).—7.9 +/−0.2 g/1 malic acid.        -   Core.—Symmetry of core: round Distinctness of core lines:            weak Locules: Number (per fruit): 5 Length: 10.69 +/−1.94 mm            Width: 4.59 +/−1.80 mm Form: triangular to teardrop form.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number per fruit.—8.1 +/−1.6.        -   Number per locule.—1.7 +/−0.5.        -   Shape.—teardrop form.        -   Length.—9.45 +/−0.67 mm.        -   Width.—5.08 +/−0.36 mm.        -   Texture.—smooth.        -   Color.—from RHS greyed-orange 166A to RHS greyed-orange            166B.-   Reproductive organs:-   Androecium:    -   -   Stamen.—Number per flower: 18.95 +/−1.28 Length: 8.24            +/−1.20 mm.        -   Anther.—Length: 2.10 +/−0.32 mm Color: RHS yellow 4C.        -   Filaments.—Length: 7.47 +/−0.61 mm Color: RHS white 155B.        -   Pollen.—Amount: moderate Color: RHS yellow 4C Pollination            Requirements: cross pollination.-   Gynoecium:    -   -   Pistils.—Quantity: 5 Length: 10.51 +/−0.96 mm Color: RHS            yellow-green 144C.        -   Stigmas.—Length: 0.90 +/−0.11 mm Width: 0.54 +/−0.08 mm            Color: RHS yellow-green 144A.        -   Ovary.—Length: 3.61 +/−0.7 mm. Width: 0.91 +/−0.19 mm.            Color: RHS yellow-green 144C.-   Use: Fresh market.-   Disease/pest resistance: no known resistance.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: susceptible to scab (Venturia    inaequalis).-   Winter hardiness: Tolerant to temperatures down to minimum −10° C.    without observed damage to wood and buds of dormant Apple trees.-   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to minimum 40°    C., growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.-   Shipping/storage characteristics: low sensitivity to bruising; good    storability under ULO-conditions for minimum 12 months.

1. A new and distinct Malus domestica apple tree variety named ‘B3F44’,as illustrated and described herein.